She does not stand so close now, but whenever you needed her steadying hand, she was there. Your every breath is now presumed, yet she remembers well when the gentle rise and fall of your chest was her only concern. Your nascent smile, the sharp-edged pearl of a budding tooth, rhythmic babbling evolving into the spoken word, unsteady balancing turning to a steady stride–all your firsts proud moments for her, yet bittersweet.
Each of your accomplishments marks a growing independence, inevitable if at first imperceptible. The moments crawl but the years fly for those who nurture. The little boy who clung tight to that capable and gentle hand squeezes hard and then lets go, making his own way in the world. The tight orbit that was parent and child expands every day as the boy becomes a man.
Yet the bond remains, invisible perhaps, but tangible to you two. The strength of the connection corresponds directly to the quality of your character. With such a loving foundation, one can do no less than build a formidable and complex personality, ready to take on the challenges and opportunities of robust and meaningful life. Your life, well and truly lived.
Behind every man of distinction is the mother who faithfully protected, guided and, when the time was right, trusted she could watch with love and pride as you made your own path. On her day, honor her trust, love and pride by letting her know how important she is to you.
Happy Mothers Day.
The next time you visit the grocery store or the pharmacy, pay special attention to the hair care aisle. Do you notice anything missing? I have recently become painfully aware that most stores lack a selection of hair brushes marketed specifically for men and their different types of hair. Are men supposed to use the hair brushes that are targeted toward women even though they have different types of hair and different needs? I wouldn’t recommend it. Men should take a cue from their female counterparts and select hair brushes that were designed just for them and their special hair care needs.
Behind every good man is a good hair brush; find out which brush is perfect for you.
Just because the grocery stores and the drug stores have failed to provide adequate hair brush options for men doesn’t mean there isn’t a need for them. Men should discover which type of hair brush suits them best, and then purchase that brush. Using the wrong tools for your hair type will result in substandard hair care. On the other hand, using the best tools for the job will result in the best hair of your life. The choice is yours. Here are some tips on how to care for your unique hair type and which brush will work best for you to manage your style.
The best hair brushes are all handmade or hand-finished in England by a company called Kent that offers an array of different brushes for different types of hair. G B Kent & Sons Ltd, commonly known as Kent Brushes, has been producing high-quality hair brushes since the 1700s. They currently produce a whopping 250 different brushes for men and women (not only hair brushes and combs, mind you, the are also famous for their shaving and make up brushes). When it comes to hair brushes, the name Kent is virtually synonymous with quality.
Is Your Hair Receding or Thinning?
Many men are concerned about a receding hairline or thinning hair. It’s a common concern, particularly among men who have already noticed there isn’t as much hair on top of their heads as there used to be. Yes, thinning hair is perfectly natural and frequently comes along with the aging process, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take steps to maximize the appearance of the locks you do have. Even the perfect brush will not help you regrow hair, but the wrong brush can exacerbate your hair loss. Avoid using a hair brush with overly stiff bristles that can break your hair along the hair shaft. Instead, use a brush with softer bristles. Softer bristles are gentler on your hair and soothing to your scalp, making them ideal if you have a receding hairline or thinning hair. The Kent MS23 (pictured) is a brush that was created with thinning hair in mind. This brush is labeled “Soft” right on the label to differentiate it from the other hair brushes that Kent offers.
Is Your Hair Thick?
Although thick hair can be challenging to manage, it can be controlled and styled nicely with the right brush for the job. Unlike thinning and receding hair, thick hair needs very stiff bristles to keep it in line. The stiff bristles will penetrate your thick hair and reach your scalp. If you have thick hair, the Kent OG2 (pictured) and the Kent MN11 hair brushes both have the stiff bristles that your hair needs. Kent created these brushes especially for men with this type of hair, making them the best choices for thick hair care.
Is Your Hair Medium?
Men with medium hair are very fortunate. They actually have the easiest type of hair to manage. It tends to be shiny and easy to control. Medium hair does not dry out like some other types of hair. That makes it easier to manage. Men with this kind of hair can get away with using nearly any type of hair brush. However, they will still see the best results from using a brush tailor-made for their hair. Men with medium hair should use a brush with medium bristles or stiff bristles. Kent produces the MS11 just for this purpose. To maintain healthy medium hair, men should develop a brushing routine on a daily basis. Hair brushing should be a very thorough process that starts at the nape of the neck and extends to the front. While brushing your hair, your head should be angled forward and downward. The movements of the brush should mimic a spa or barbershop head massage. Once you complete thoroughly brushing, you can style your hair.
Do You Have Fine Hair?
Men with fine hair may find styling frustrating. Fine, limp hair always seems to end up in the same style no matter how hard you try to change it. Often, the only way to keep fine hair where you want it and maintain your desired style is by using styling products. Despite its drawbacks, fine hair has some benefits. It is generally shiny and sleek. Men with fine hair should accentuate the positive aspects of their hair by using a hair brush that has soft or medium bristles. If you have fine hair, using the Kent MS23D will give you the most control even if you must keep your hair in place using styling products.
Men, it’s time to exercise your right to proper hair care. Determine which type of hair you possess prior to purchasing your perfect hair brush. You should always use the brush that was designed for your particular hair type. If you use styling products, those should also be geared toward men with your unique needs. Style and grooming are not reserved solely for women. Now, more than ever, men have come to realize the benefits of taking care of themselves. That’s why savvy men know they need the right brush for their hair type. Knowledge is half the battle. So, now that you know the secret to managing your hair, make sure you get the right brush to take care of business and look your personal best.
“The Man” photo by Jon Åslund on flickr.
Some people believe that all the good stuff has already been invented. I don’t believe that is true. There is plenty of room for new ideas and inventions. However, there are some things that don’t need to be reinvented. One of these things is the wheel. Another is the razor. Now, someone just needs to break the news to Gillette before they try to patent the wheel.
Gillette not only tried to invent the multi-bladed razor, but they managed to convince the general public that they had succeeded. Never mind that an Italian company had already invented a razor with five blades more than a century earlier. Gillette wants people to think that they invented the close shave, but men have been seeking a closer shave for millenia while Gillette has only been trademarked since the early 20th century. They certainly have managed to create the illusion that they created shaving, but the earliest known examples of shaving tools actually date back tens of thousands of years. It’s hard to believe, but it’s true.
The Safety Razor: invented in the the late 19th century, and still going strong.
How about the vibrating razor? Surely that was a modern invention by Gillette, right? Wrong. Actually, a product by the name of Stahly Live Blade Razor was produced seven decades ago. Although I can’t imagine using a vibrating razor produced in 1946, Gillette was surely standing on the shoulders of giants when they came up with their post-modern version. Stahly even had a women’s version of the Live Blade Razor in pink.
So, where will Gillette find its next big inspiration? Perhaps they will find it in the slant-bar safety razor of yesteryear or the open-comb classic razor. These are both impressive products that are still in use today for good reason. They provide impressive control and a clean, close shave. I just hope Gillette won’t pretend to invent them.
Has everything good already been invented? We won’t know until the next big thing comes along. However, when it comes to razors, it seems there is truly nothing new under the sun.
